When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 277

"What's wrong? The Watson family's golden boy isn't around today, so you suddenly remembered Brody?"

Nelly gave a cold laugh, feeling completely done with this. "I just came by to check on Brody, okay? If you're really that bothered by me being here, I won't come again."

She reached for Carrie's hand, ready to take her daughter and leave. But before she could move, Tina stepped in and grabbed Carrie.

"Nelly, do you really think you can just walk in and out of the Garland house whenever you feel like it? You can divorce Brody all you want, but you can't take Carrie with you."

Tina's grip was so tight that Nelly worried she might hurt Carrie, so she let go without thinking. Tina scooped Carrie up right away, holding her close.

"Why can't I take my own daughter?" Nelly said, her voice sharp. "Brody already has people looking after him. It's not like Carrie needs to stay here, and honestly, it would be easier for everyone if I just took her home."

"Sheila is here to take care of Carrie. There's nothing inconvenient about it. You’re the one who walked away. You left your husband, and now you want to take your daughter too? You are the coldest woman ever!"

Tina pounced on the moment, every word meant to sting. Nelly had seen this side of Tina so many times that she barely reacted. She managed a small, calm smile.

Tina let it all out, rapid-fire, every word meant to cut deep.

Carrie's face changed right away. Her little eyebrows pulled together, and she gave Nelly a worried look before dropping her gaze to the floor. Sheila stood quietly behind Tina, her expression calm, but there was the tiniest hint of a smirk tugging at her lips.

Carrie had only agreed to go out with Sheila if they kept it a secret from Nelly. Sheila had kept her word, but Tina clearly didn’t care about keeping secrets. Carrie didn’t dare talk back to her grandmother, and her silence said it all.

Nelly suddenly felt cold all over, like someone had poured ice water down her back. Seeing the look on Carrie's face, her heart just sank. She hadn’t even been gone long, and already her daughter was cozying up to Sheila again. Nelly tried to tell herself she got it, that Carrie was just a kid caught in the middle, but it still hurt. No matter how hard she tried, the disappointment was impossible to ignore.